Craigslist Crapshoot

The World’s Worst Car Is For Sale On Craigslist
Welcome to Craigslist Crapshoot, our weekly search for the most bizarre, awesome, and/or terrible vehicles that the online classifieds has to offer. 
Whether perennial Presidential candidates or Gretchen trying to make Fetch happen, some people just never give up on a lost cause. Last week, we wanted you to find ads for cars for which someone had – given up, that is. We’ll see the lostiest in just a sec – you  know, just ’cause. But first, this week’s quest.
This week let’s go old-school. What I think we need – nay, deserve – is some longroof love. What I think we should be getting into is wagons with stick shifts – you know, family haulers with benefits. While we’re at it, let’s set the price limit at $3,000. For all of you across the pond, that’s about 2,650€.
As always, we want your finds to go down in infamy and not in the site’s spam filter. Since we’ve changed commenting systems, you may need to update your commenter account. Make sure you have a Disqus account – they’re free and easy to get – and then comment away.

Got that? Good, now let’s get lost.


Have you ever seen the movie Lost Horizon? Based on the book of the same name by James Hilton it was directed by Frank Capra and both book and movie brought Shangri-La into our lexicon. There, in that Himalayan paradise you could live an idyllic life, and for far longer than normal.
It would take that existence to put up with many of the projects you all found last week. Given up on by their present owners, they ranged from rides with one fatal flaw – like the “pity cruiser” found by Kiefmo, to the optimistically priced mushroom farm that has taken the shape of a mid-seventies Chevy Laguna. That one was found by P161911, and it’s our lost-est cause of last week.  Congrats to P161911, and thanks to you all for keeping the flame alive for all these lost causes.

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71 responses to “Craigslist Crapshoot”

  1. GTXcellent Avatar
    GTXcellent

    Sweet slot mags. Just needs some new Di-Noc, motor work, brake work, title work… and all for the low, low price of $1395
    http://images.craigslist.org/00Y0Y_dJZnPawv77V_600x450.jpg
    http://minneapolis.craigslist.org/csw/cto/5071936397.html

  2. PotbellyJoe★★★★★ Avatar
    PotbellyJoe★★★★★

    http://newyork.craigslist.org/brx/cto/5086620132.html
    Toyota 1979 for sale or trade
    1979 toyota corolla station wagon for sale or trade.
    Please email for serious inquiry only.
    Meanwhile no price or what he wants to trade for. In my mind he wants to trade it for $2995 and a Wawa Classic Meatball sub, which thanks to Hoagiefest is only $4.99 right now.

    1. dukeisduke Avatar
      dukeisduke

      Be still, my heart. My brother had a ’77, in basically the same color.

  3. PotbellyJoe★★★★★ Avatar
    PotbellyJoe★★★★★

    http://cnj.craigslist.org/cto/5054695851.html
    I’m including this one because it is your prototypical CL listing where the guy wants too much for a car that is broken, adds in completely irrelevant facts, can’t communicate what the car actual is/needs/does and then tells you he won’t negotiate.
    So he has to sell it because he needs to make room on his policy for it. Sounds like you’ll negotiate.
    Honda Accord – $3500 (somerset)
    http://images.craigslist.org/00M0M_hyniRlw8hIF_600x450.jpg
    1992 Station Vagon Honda Accord
    168000 miles
    i really do not want to sell this car …. but i need to because i have already 5 cars and my insurance policy do not allow me to have another one under this policy, I have also 5 classic cars that I need to put insurance for car shows
    this car is nice, good condition for its age.. Recently painted… it is manual transmission.
    the transmission works, but it goes to 1, 2, and not 3… rear works… I think it needs some gears work.
    i got this car from a tenant that owed me money
    I have the title
    come see it
    I am willing to trade it with construction tools, electronics, classic car, construction material, etc
    please only serious buyers.. I am not showing the car,, if you are not really serious about buying this car… thanks
    this is a nice car for racing, really good
    H22 engine…. brand new.
    please do not lower this price…

  4. Guest Avatar
    Guest

    Because loopholes.. It says “wagon” on the side, and it’s a manual, so I say it qualifies.

    http://i.ebayimg.com/00/s/NjAwWDgwMA==/z/sPcAAOSwKrhVfLdP/$_27.JPG
    http://www.kijiji.ca/v-classic-cars/calgary/1979-dodge-macho-power-wagon-w150-mopar-original-paint/1079899804?enableSearchNavigationFlag=true

    Feel emasculated? Get a MACHO Power Wagon!

    1. smalleyxb122 Avatar
      smalleyxb122

      It’s cool as hell, but rationalizing the “wagon” part was only part of the equation. Now you have to convince us that the exchange rate is 10:1 between Canada and the US.

      1. mdharrell Avatar

        This Power Wagon is only $2500 but it’s even harder to justify as a longroof:
        http://images.craigslist.org/00d0d_5t5Bq2kgpPy_600x450.jpg
        http://portland.craigslist.org/grg/cto/5074328534.html

        1. 0A5599 Avatar
          0A5599

          Long gone, perhaps.

          1. mdharrell Avatar

            Longing for a roof, maybe.

        2. P161911 Avatar
          P161911

          ” I also have many other parts you may want to buy for it including troop seats, top bows, etc.”
          Top bows. Close enough.

      2. Guest Avatar
        Guest

        Eh, it’s something like that.

        Plus the guy didn’t mention anything about about lowballers, tire kickers, or test pilots, so he’ll probably accept $3000.

  5. P161911 Avatar
    P161911

    Other than the really rusty body, this one is sort of tempting at $2400
    http://images.craigslist.org/00T0T_83haIXPoqpu_600x450.jpg
    http://atlanta.craigslist.org/sat/cto/5072814084.html

  6. P161911 Avatar
    P161911

    $3000 seems a little steep for a rusty Falcon, even a 2 door wagon.
    http://images.craigslist.org/00h0h_4uw34VIPjGq_600x450.jpg
    http://atlanta.craigslist.org/atl/cto/5087608637.html

    1. dukeisduke Avatar
      dukeisduke

      Tim Odell really needs that.

  7. P161911 Avatar
    P161911

    It took me a while to figure out this was a Studebaker. One of the more sparse Craigslist ads I’ve seen.
    http://images.craigslist.org/00x0x_apAmky2p2fv_600x450.jpg
    http://atlanta.craigslist.org/atl/cto/5073021916.html

  8. P161911 Avatar
    P161911

    The ad says manual. Just ignore the picture of the two pedals in the interior. It is a brown diesel (Rally) wagon!
    http://images.craigslist.org/00Q0Q_8IxMyTOtMeX_600x450.jpg
    http://atlanta.craigslist.org/atl/cto/5030240915.html

    1. dukeisduke Avatar
      dukeisduke

      Parts car.

    1. Sjalabais Avatar
      Sjalabais

      Who wouldn’t? Not an awfully bad deal, this one.

  9. P161911 Avatar
    P161911

    Some folks on here might want this one. I kind of do and I’m not even a Volvo or wagon guy.
    http://images.craigslist.org/01313_lIGtywjAEpe_600x450.jpg
    http://atlanta.craigslist.org/atl/cto/5088095706.html

    1. Sjalabais Avatar
      Sjalabais

      So much invested (full paint job?) and then it is sold at a price similar to a zombie Falcon wagon? What’s fishy here? Great blue leather seats though, wow.

      1. P161911 Avatar
        P161911

        Maybe it was a $299 Maaco paint job? Those will look good in pictures, but not up close. The paint job was done 6 years ago, maybe the previous owner? How much can you realistically expect to get for a Volvo with a quarter-million miles? The rest reads like regular upkeep on an old car. The Falcon is overpriced.

      2. CraigSu Avatar
        CraigSu

        Same year, paint, and interior trim as mine except this one has better paint and 60,000 more miles.

        1. Sjalabais Avatar
          Sjalabais

          You should ask if he wants to swap seats. Leather seats in 240s are pretty rare in Scandinavia and I really like the odd colour on these.
          Early on, the 240 was very expensive, and most people here bought absolutely basic trim. Later on, the 240 became “the people’s car” of Northern Europe, and with one at every corner, people seem to have thought it was even more of a waste to invest in optional equipment.

  10. Jeepster Avatar
    Jeepster

    1974 IRON PIG FJ55, It looks as if it is near complete …. http://nashville.craigslist.org/cto/5073011937.html

  11. Jeepster Avatar
    Jeepster

    $1800 cheap Pinto sport wagon, with a 4 speed ! http://knoxville.craigslist.org/cto/5077537849.html

  12. Jeepster Avatar
    Jeepster

    4 speed British paddy wagon, kind of, $2500 http://hattiesburg.craigslist.org/cto/5087537094.html

    1. mdharrell Avatar

      “…sits on a 1984 Chevy chevette chassis….”
      It’s RHD, so my guess is it’s actually a Vauxhall Chevette. Either that or someone went to far too much trouble for a slight improvement in authenticity.
      http://images.craigslist.org/01717_2bNVsomTe9_600x450.jpg

      1. Jeepster Avatar
        Jeepster

        That square tube & flat off the engine cowling ?? Side mount spare maybe

      2. Jeepster Avatar
        Jeepster

        Extree points for the whitewash picket fence plank dash, door pockets and box of parts with empty YooHoo bottle ….

  13. engineerd Avatar
    engineerd

    I couldn’t find one. However, I did find an 8-passenger wagon with only 2 doors. I kind of want it. A lot.
    http://detroit.craigslist.org/mcb/cto/5049652029.html

    1. Sjalabais Avatar
      Sjalabais

      Looks like it just landed.

      1. neight428 Avatar
        neight428

        or beached, perhaps.

      1. neight428 Avatar
        neight428

        The edit lag makes me look off my meds.

        1. Sjalabais Avatar
          Sjalabais

          The Disqus makers won’t stop until the entire commentariat goes
          https://p.gr-assets.com/540×540/fit/hostedimages/1392903276/8630384.gif

  14. Jeepster Avatar
    Jeepster

    yet another Pinto sport wagon, Red, 4 speed, and slotted mags for the win at $2500 http://springfield.craigslist.org/cto/5076231470.html

    1. Sjalabais Avatar
      Sjalabais

      Not confidence inspiring, but what an odd find – cool!

    2. neight428 Avatar
      neight428

      Needs a 2.3L Ecoboost swap.

  15. smalleyxb122 Avatar
    smalleyxb122

    I found 3 local candidates for this Crapshoot.
    The first is a ’98 Legacy Wagon for $3k. It’s an obvious choice. A bit too obvious. http://annarbor.craigslist.org/cto/5071211495.html
    The second is a 2002 Kia Rio Wagon for $1800. It’s cheap, but there is nothing desirable here. http://detroit.craigslist.org/okl/cto/5089354441.html
    The third I found intriguing. It’s not really desirable, but it hits that level of obscurity where you think “I’d almost forgotten that those ever existed,” and it is my submission for this Craigslist Crapshoot. Behold the 2000 Suzuki Esteem Wagon for $2250!
    http://images.craigslist.org/00303_4d65gYcn1Al_600x450.jpg
    http://detroit.craigslist.org/wyn/cto/5070174748.html

    1. mrh1965 Avatar
      mrh1965

      Damn, I thought I was clever in searching for a Suzuki Esteem wagon. Here’s one that
      “Runs great!” for a mere $400. http://sandiego.craigslist.org/esd/cto/5064922189.html
      And i still can’t upload an image with Disqus because I’m an idiot. Trust me, it’s awesome.

      1. Sjalabais Avatar
        Sjalabais

        The Esteem (or “Baleno”, as it was called in Jurop, for no apparent reason) is a true “poor people’s car” around here. They are kept alive and a very visible in traffic still. Buy one now, sell it to the highest bidding nostalgic in 20 years…

  16. Sjalabais Avatar
    Sjalabais

    I’ve got three everyday wagons and a simple reiteration of how Norway is, indeed, wagon country:
    http://s26.postimg.org/3lsx4o3ft/Wagon_Country_Norway.png
    1997 Mitsubishi Galant, 890$ – needs tech inspection, which is a hard sell on a Mitsubishi. But I’ve always liked the sharp look of these.
    http://finncdn.no/mmo/2015/6/vertical-3/22/4/609/005/34_1052066478_xl.jpg
    1995 Citroën XM, 1000$ – tech inspection is out, car is in everyday use anyway. Some small issues and rust, will be wrecked on 28th june if nobody wants it. Would be a shame, really.
    http://finncdn.no/mmo/2015/6/vertical-3/23/7/609/497/67_1907173978_xl.jpg
    1999 Saab 9-5, 1400$ – claimed to be in very good shape apart from a gas tank leak, even though it will also need tech inspection very soon.
    http://finncdn.no/mmo/2015/6/vertical-3/23/5/380/570/25_1524174100.jpg

  17. Please Stand By Avatar
    Please Stand By

    Time to lift the crap in crapshoot! $600 1970 Opel Kadett on a Jeep chassis with no title or engine.
    http://images.craigslist.org/00C0C_cL95AzXOTF1_600x450.jpg
    http://dayton.craigslist.org/cto/5047558235.html

    1. dukeisduke Avatar
      dukeisduke

      You don’t have to jack it up to do the rust repair.

    1. P161911 Avatar
      P161911

      That’s only $100. Scrap value in the US is around $125-$150 for this car. Does it cost for an individual to scrap a car in Europe?

      1. Manic_King Avatar
        Manic_King

        When tried to get rid of dad’s old Opel some years ago junkyards offered 200 eur for it, but maybe that was during boom times in steel prices and that was relatively well optioned Vectra with the Diesel engine which was probably a plus.
        I’m quite sure this Skoda above doesn’t have current inspection and is maybe not in reg.
        One could buy Opel Astra F wagon for the same money with 2 months left until inspection renewal. In Germany inspection is not an joke and correcting everything to OK level will be expensive.
        http://suchen.mobile.de/fahrzeuge/details.html?id=211032912

    2. Sjalabais Avatar
      Sjalabais

      Is that car registered? Cash-for-clunkers alone is 382$ in Norway; just a pitty it would be unregisterable without paying massive import duties.

      1. Manic_King Avatar
        Manic_King

        Probably not registered and without current inspection which would be mentioned otherwise. Secretive seller…

    3. Tomsk Avatar
      Tomsk

      Am I the only one who’s bummed Skoda didn’t keep the Felicia nameplate around long enough to release a Bye edition?

  18. peugeotdude505 Avatar
    peugeotdude505

    A little over the limit but I am tempted to go see this
    2005 MAZDA 6 WAGON. MANUAL 5SPEED. – $4995 (burnaby)
    http://vancouver.craigslist.ca/van/ctd/5038333488.html
    And of course I found a SAAB
    SAAB 9-5 WAGON MANUAL 5 SPD – $2300 (Vancouver)
    http://vancouver.craigslist.ca/van/cto/5071140853.html

    1. peugeotdude505 Avatar
      peugeotdude505

      Pics!

  19. Citric Avatar
    Citric

    Can’t tell what the transmission is, too cool not to post though. 1963 Pontiac Bonneville ambulance.
    http://i.ebayimg.com/00/s/NjAwWDQ1MA==/z/56YAAOSwNSxVRr7R/$_27.JPG
    http://www.kijiji.ca/v-classic-cars/moose-jaw/1963-bonneville-ambulance/1069471595

    1. dukeisduke Avatar
      dukeisduke

      Probably the four-speed Hydra-Matic.

  20. Citric Avatar
    Citric

    For something you might actually want to buy, 1997 Volvo 850 AWD. I believe this wasn’t sold in America? Could be wrong.
    http://i.ebayimg.com/00/s/NjAwWDgwMA==/z/lS8AAOSwstxVbRSH/$_27.JPG
    http://www.kijiji.ca/v-cars-trucks/saskatoon/1997-volvo-850-wagon/1076899415?enableSearchNavigationFlag=true

    1. Top-dead-centre Avatar
      Top-dead-centre

      Correct, the US never got the AWD model. AWD showed up later, for example in the V70XC.
      I miss my 1994 850 Turbo Wagon

  21. Jeepster Avatar
    Jeepster

    3 speed, AMC Hornet for cheap, and it is orange woody ! Over at barnfinds. http://barnfinds.com/pumpkin-orange-1974-hornet-sportabout/

    1. Alcology Avatar
      Alcology

      I was hoping to see something like this! Nice find

  22. Tomsk Avatar
    Tomsk

    Sweet mother of mustard! A ’76 Corolla (admittedly a rough one) for $2k!
    http://images.craigslist.org/01212_3FeL7gYz9hY_600x450.jpg
    http://losangeles.craigslist.org/sgv/cto/5010587845.html

  23. Tomsk Avatar
    Tomsk

    Oh. Em. Gee. California black plate Mazda-rotary-swapped Datsun 411 wagon for $2,800? Believe it!
    http://images.craigslist.org/00P0P_EYcSQrGqxK_600x450.jpg
    http://losangeles.craigslist.org/sfv/cto/5088891459.html

  24. Scubie Avatar
    Scubie

    Big GM Holden product down here in NZ (built in Australia) but the worst spec you can get – anaemic 1900cc carb… Was also available in 4.2 litre V8 from memory… Great road trip / surf / beer keg / party wagon… Our CL / eBay equivalent: http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/used-cars/holden/auction-904942887.htm

    1. Guest Avatar
      Guest

      Side perk of Hooniverse/Craigslist Crapshoot:

      If any of us move to a different continent, we will know exactly what classified sites to use!